Three orphaned moose calves have been admitted to the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Rosseau, Ontario, for rehabilitation after being found without their mothers. The sanctuary shared the news on social media, noting that the calves arrived in separate incidents and are now receiving care.
Challenges of raising orphaned moose
According to the sanctuary, raising orphaned moose calves is a delicate process that requires specialized nutrition and around-the-clock care. The calves were dehydrated and stressed upon arrival but are now stable. Staff members are bottle-feeding them and monitoring their health closely.
“One little calf gave us quite a scare,” the sanctuary posted, describing the initial struggle to stabilize one of the animals. The calves are expected to stay at the facility until they are strong enough to be released into the wild, which could take several months.
Wildlife rehabilitation efforts
Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization that rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife, including moose, deer, bears, and birds. The sanctuary relies on donations and volunteers to carry out its mission. Moose calves are particularly vulnerable because they rely heavily on their mothers for protection and guidance.
The sanctuary advises the public to contact wildlife professionals if they encounter orphaned animals, as improper handling can harm the animals and pose risks to humans.
